WO2015130037A1

WO2015130037A1 - Medical imaging apparatus having probe and method of controlling the medical imaging apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2015130037A1
Application number: PCT/KR2015/001334
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eun-yeong KIM; Eun-Mi Cho; Jung-Taek Oh
Original assignee: Samsung Medison Co., Ltd.; Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2014-02-28
Filing date: 2015-02-10
Publication date: 2015-09-03
Also published as: KR101611449B1; KR20150102587A

Abstract

Provided is a method of controlling a medical imaging apparatus includes: generating a magnetic field by using a magnetic field generator fixed onto a landmark point on a surface of the body part; obtaining a value of magnetic field intensity by using a magnetic sensor placed in a probe; estimating a position of the probe relative to the landmark point, based on the obtained value; and displaying a marker on a display included in the medical imaging apparatus, based on the estimated position.

Description

MEDICAL IMAGING APPARATUS HAVING PROBE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE MEDICAL IMAGING APPARATUS

One or more exemplary embodiments relate to a medical imaging apparatus and a method of controlling the same to provide medical images to a user, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for conveniently providing a position of a probe to a user.

Various medical imaging apparatuses are used to observe the internal structure of a human body and diagnose different diseases. Examples of the medical imaging apparatuses may include ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses, computed tomography (CT) apparatuses, magnetic resonance imaging apparatuses, positron emission tomography (PET) apparatuses, and X-ray apparatuses.

Some of these medical imaging apparatuses may include a probe in order to acquire a medical image. For example, an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus transmits ultrasound signals generated by transducers located in a probe to an object and receives echo signals reflected from the object, thereby obtaining images of an inner area of the object. In particular, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus may be used for medical purposes such as observing an inner area of an object, detecting foreign substances, and assessing injuries. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus may have safety and display information regarding an object in real-time. Furthermore, unlike an X-ray diagnosis apparatus, there is no risk of radiation exposure when an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus is used, and thus, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus is very safe. Therefore, an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus is widely used together with other types of imaging diagnosis devices.

One or more exemplary embodiments include a method and apparatus for conveniently inputting position information of a probe to a medical imaging apparatus.

One or more exemplary embodiments include a method and apparatus for conveniently providing information about a position of a probe to a user.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments, a method of controlling a medical imaging apparatus includes: generating a magnetic field by using a magnetic field generator fixed onto a landmark point on a surface of a body part; obtaining a value of magnetic field intensity by using a magnetic sensor placed in a probe; estimating a position of the probe relative to the landmark point, based on the obtained value; and displaying a marker on a display included in the medical imaging apparatus, based on the estimated position.

These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a configuration of an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a configuration of a wireless probe according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process of controlling a medical imaging apparatus according to an exemplar embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of a configuration of a medical imaging apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a plan view and a side view of a magnetic field generator according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a position of a probe relative to a point where a magnetic field is generated, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a screen displayed on a medical imaging apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing a screen displayed on a medical imaging apparatus, according to another exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing a method of displaying a report on a display of a medical imaging apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented exemplary embodiments.

The displaying of the marker on the display may further include displaying at least one selected from an azimuth angle, a distance, and an orientation of the probe relative to the landmark point.

A medical image generated based on information acquired via the probe may be displayed together with the marker in the displaying of the marker. The method may further include generating report information about the medical image, the report information including information about the estimated position of the probe.

In the displaying of the marker, a guide marker indicating a fixed position may be further displayed.

The displaying of the marker may include, if the position of the marker coincides with a preset position, changing at least one selected from hue, brightness, and saturation of the marker.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments, a medical imaging apparatus including a probe includes: a magnetic field generator that is fixed onto a landmark point on a surface of the body part and generates a magnetic field; a magnetic sensor that is placed in a probe and obtains a value characterizing the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator; an image processor configured to estimate a position of the probe relative to the landmark point, based on the obtained value characterizing the magnetic field; and a display configured to display a marker based on the estimated position.

The display may further display at least one selected from an azimuth angle, a distance, and an orientation of the probe relative to the landmark point.

The display may display together with the marker a medical image generated based on information acquired via the probe. The apparatus may further include a data processor configured to generate report information about the medical image, the report information including information about the estimated position of the probe.

If the estimated position of the marker coincides with a preset position, the display may change at least one selected from hue, brightness, and saturation of the marker.

The display may further display a difference between the position of the marker and the preset position.

The magnetic field generator may include a projection receiving groove that accommodates a protruding part of the body part.

The magnetic field generator may include an adhering portion that is positioned on one side of the magnetic field generator and be used to attach the magnetic field generator to the body part.

The magnetic field generator may include a permanent magnet or an induction magnet for producing a magnetic field within the magnetic field generator.

The magnetic field generator may include a bar-shaped magnet receptacle for accommodating a permanent magnet or an induction magnet.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium has recorded thereon a program for executing the above-described method on a computer.

Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings so that they may be easily implemented by one of ordinary skill in the art. However, the present embodiments may have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein. In addition, parts not related to the present inventive concept are omitted to clarify the description of exemplary embodiments. In the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Throughout the specification, it will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected to or electrically coupled to the other element with one or more intervening elements interposed therebetween.

Throughout the specification, it will also be understood that when a component "includes" an element, unless there is another opposite description thereto, it should be understood that the component does not exclude another element and may further include another element. In addition, terms such as "… unit", "… module", or the like refer to units that perform at least one function or operation, and the units may be implemented as hardware or software or as a combination of hardware and software. Expressions such as "at least one of," when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.

Throughout the specification, an "ultrasound image" refers to an image of an object, which is obtained using ultrasound waves. Furthermore, an "object" may be a human, an animal, or a part of a human or animal. For example, the object may be an organ (e.g., the liver, the heart, the womb, the brain, a breast, or the abdomen), a blood vessel, or a combination thereof. Also, the object may be a phantom. The phantom means a material having a density, an effective atomic number, and a volume that are approximately the same as those of an organism.

Throughout the specification, a "user" may be, but is not limited to, a medical expert, for example, a medical doctor, a nurse, a medical laboratory technologist, or a medical imaging expert, or a technician who repairs medical apparatuses.

Exemplary embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which illustrative embodiments are shown. For convenience of explanation, an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus is hereinafter described as a representative example of a medical imaging apparatus. However, the medical imaging apparatus may include another type of a medical imaging apparatus including a probe, as well as an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a medical imaging apparatus may be an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a configuration of an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 1000 according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 1000 may include a probe 20, an ultrasound transceiver 100, an image processor 200, a communication module 300, a display 300, a memory 400, an input device 500, and a controller 600, which may be connected to one another via buses 700.

The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 1000 may be a cart type apparatus or a portable type apparatus. Examples of portable ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses may include, but are not limited to, a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) viewer, a smartphone, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a tablet PC.

The probe 20 transmits ultrasound waves to an object 10 in response to a driving signal applied by the ultrasound transceiver 100 and receives echo signals reflected by the object 10. The probe 20 includes a plurality of transducers that oscillate in response to electric signals applied thereto and generate acoustic energy, that is, ultrasound waves. Furthermore, the probe 20 may be connected to the main body of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 1000 via a wire or wirelessly.

A transmitter 110 supplies a driving signal to the probe 20. The transmitter 1110 includes a pulse generator 112, a transmission delaying unit 114, and a pulser 116. The pulse generator 112 generates pulses for forming transmission ultrasound waves based on a predetermined pulse repetition frequency (PRF), and the transmission delaying unit 114 delays the pulses by delay times necessary for determining transmission directionality. The pulses which have been delayed respectively correspond to a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators included in the probe 20. The pulser 116 applies a driving signal (or a driving pulse) to the probe 20 based on timing corresponding to each of the pulses which have been delayed.

A receiver 120 generates ultrasound data by processing echo signals received from the probe 20. The receiver 120 may include an amplifier 122, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 124, a reception delaying unit 126, and a summing unit 128. The amplifier 122 amplifies echo signals in each channel, and the ADC 124 performs analog-to-digital conversion with respect to the amplified echo signals. The reception delaying unit 126 delays digital echo signals output by the ADC 124 by delay times necessary for determining reception directionality, and the summing unit 128 generates ultrasound data by summing the echo signals processed by the reception delaying unit 126. Also, according to embodiments of the present inventive concept, the receiver 120 may not include the amplifier 122. In other words, if the sensitivity of the probe 20 or the capability of the ADC 124 to process bits is enhanced, the amplifier 122 may be omitted.

The image processor 200 generates an ultrasound image by scan-converting ultrasound data generated by the ultrasound transceiver 100 and displays the ultrasound image. The ultrasound image may be not only a grayscale ultrasound image obtained by scanning an object in an amplitude (A) mode, a brightness (B) mode, and a motion (M) mode, but also a Doppler image showing a movement of an object via a Doppler effect. The Doppler image may be a blood flow Doppler image showing flow of blood (also referred to as a color Doppler image), a tissue Doppler image showing a movement of tissue, or a spectral Doppler image showing a moving speed of an object as a waveform.

A B mode processor 212 extracts B mode components from ultrasound data and processes the B mode components. An image generator 220 may generate an ultrasound image indicating signal intensities as brightness based on the extracted B mode components.

Similarly, a Doppler processor 214 may extract Doppler components from ultrasound data, and the image generator 220 may generate a Doppler image indicating a movement of an object as colors or waveforms based on the extracted Doppler components.

According to an embodiment, the image generator 220 may generate a three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound image via volume-rendering with respect to volume data and may also generate an elasticity image by imaging deformation of the object 10 due to pressure. Furthermore, the image generator 220 may display various pieces of additional information in an ultrasound image by using text and graphics. In addition, the generated ultrasound image may be stored in the memory 400.

A display 230 displays the generated ultrasound image. The display 230 may display not only an ultrasound image, but also various pieces of information processed by the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 1000 on a screen image via a graphical user interface (GUI). In addition, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 1000 may include two or more displays 230 according to embodiments of the present inventive concept.

The communication module 300 is connected to a network 30 by wire or wirelessly to communicate with an external device or a server. The communication module 300 may exchange data with a hospital server or another medical apparatus in a hospital, which is connected thereto via a PACS. Furthermore, the communication module 300 may perform data communication according to the digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) standard.

The communication module 300 may transmit or receive data related to diagnosis of an object, e.g., an ultrasound image, ultrasound data, and Doppler data of the object, via the network 30 and may also transmit or receive medical images captured by another medical apparatus, e.g., a computed tomography (CT) apparatus, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus, or an X-ray apparatus. Furthermore, the communication module 300 may receive information about a diagnosis history or medical treatment schedule of a patient from a server and utilizes the received information to diagnose the patient. Furthermore, the communication module 300 may perform data communication not only with a server or a medical apparatus in a hospital, but also with a portable terminal of a medical doctor or patient.

The communication module 300 is connected to the network 30 by wire or wirelessly to exchange data with a server 32, a medical apparatus 34, or a portable terminal 36. The communication module 300 may include one or more components for communication with external devices. For example, the communication module 1300 may include a local area communication module 310, a wired communication module 320, and a mobile communication module 330.

The local area communication module 310 refers to a module for local area communication within a predetermined distance. Examples of local area communication techniques according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept may include, but are not limited to, wireless LAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi Direct (WFD), ultra wideband (UWB), infrared data association (IrDA), Bluetooth low energy (BLE), and near field communication (NFC).

The wired communication module 320 refers to a module for communication using electric signals or optical signals. Examples of wired communication techniques according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept may include communication via a twisted pair cable, a coaxial cable, an optical fiber cable, and an Ethernet cable.

The mobile communication module 330 transmits or receives wireless signals to or from at least one selected from a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. The wireless signals may be voice call signals, video call signals, or various types of data for transmission and reception of text/multimedia messages.

The memory 400 stores various data processed by the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 1000. For example, the memory 400 may store medical data related to diagnosis of an object, such as ultrasound data and an ultrasound image that are input or output, and may also store algorithms or programs which are to be executed in the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 1000.

The memory 400 may be any of various storage media, e.g., a flash memory, a hard disk drive, EEPROM, etc. Furthermore, the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 1000 may utilize web storage or a cloud server that performs the storage function of the memory 400 online.

The input device 500 refers to a means via which a user inputs data for controlling the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 1000. The input device 500 may include hardware components, such as a keypad, a mouse, a touch panel, a touch screen, and a jog switch. However, embodiments of the present inventive concept are not limited thereto, and the input device 1600 may further include any of various other input units including an electrocardiogram (ECG) measuring module, a respiration measuring module, a voice recognition sensor, a gesture recognition sensor, a fingerprint recognition sensor, an iris recognition sensor, a depth sensor, a distance sensor, etc.

The controller 600 may control all operations of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 1000. In other words, the controller 600 may control operations among the probe 20, the ultrasound transceiver 100, the image processor 200, the communication module 300, the memory 400, and the input device 500 shown in FIG. 1.

All or some of the probe 20, the ultrasound transceiver 100, the image processor 200, the communication module 300, the memory 400, the input device 500, and the controller 600 may be implemented as software modules. However, embodiments of the present inventive concept are not limited thereto, and some of the components stated above may be implemented as hardware modules. Furthermore, at least one selected from the ultrasound transceiver 100, the image processor 200, and the communication module 300 may be included in the controller 1700. However, embodiments of the present inventive concept are not limited thereto.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a configuration of a wireless probe 2000 according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept. As described above with reference to FIG. 1, the wireless probe 2000 may include a plurality of transducers, and, according to embodiments of the present inventive concept, may include some or all of the components of the ultrasound transceiver 100 shown in FIG. 1.

The wireless probe 2000 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 includes a transmitter 2100, a transducer 2200, and a receiver 2300. Since descriptions thereof are given above with reference to FIG. 1, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted here. In addition, according to embodiments of the present inventive concept, the wireless probe 2000 may selectively include a reception delaying unit 2330 and a summing unit 2340.

The wireless probe 2000 may transmit ultrasound signals to the object 10, receive echo signals from the object 10, generate ultrasound data, and wirelessly transmit the ultrasound data to the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 1000 shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process of controlling a medical imaging apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3, first, the medical imaging apparatus may obtain magnetic field intensity via a magnetic sensor (S3100). In this case, the magnetic sensor may be placed in a probe of the medical imaging apparatus. According to exemplary embodiments, the magnetic sensor may be disposed within the probe. Furthermore, the magnetic sensor may be attachable to or detachable from the probe, and be modified in various ways. Furthermore, the magnetic sensor may include a plurality of sensing elements for detecting a plurality of magnetic fields. The sensing elements may measure intensities of magnetic fields having directions along three axes, respectively. The medical imaging apparatus may determine an intensity and a direction of a magnetic field sensed by each of the sensing elements based on intensities of magnetic fields detected by the sensing elements. The sensing elements may detect intensities and directions of magnetic fields to convert the detected intensities and directions of the magnetic fields into electrical signals. Each of the sensing elements may be constructed using a hall element, a magnetoresistor, a flux gate magnetometer, a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), a fiber optic magnetic sensor, a proton precession magnetometer, or an optical pumping magnetometer.

In this case, a magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor may be a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator disposed at a landmark point on a human body. According to exemplary embodiments, the magnetic field generator may be incorporated into the medical imaging apparatus or in a separate device. The magnetic field generator may include a permanent or induction magnet for creating a magnetic field. For example, when capturing a medical image of a breast, the medical imaging apparatus may sense a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator placed on a nipple of the breast. According to exemplary embodiments, the magnetic field generator may be fixed on a landmark point by using a fixing element for fixing the magnetic field generator on the human body.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a position and an orientation of a probe 20 relative to a point where a magnetic field is generated, according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 6, if a medical imaging apparatus is an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, the probe 20 may be disposed at a point on a breast 6000 in order to obtain an ultrasound image of the breast 6000. In this case, a magnetic field generator 4200 may be located on a nipple. A magnetic sensor 610 is disposed on one side of the probe 20 and may sense a magnetic field created by the magnetic field generator 4200.

Referring back to FIG. 3, after performing operation S3100, the medical imaging apparatus may estimate a position and an orientation of a probe relative to a landmark point based on the obtained magnetic field intensity (S3200). According to an exemplary embodiment, the medical imaging apparatus may estimate a position and an orientation of the probe relative to a landmark point from intensities and directions of magnetic fields detected by the plurality of sensing elements in the magnetic sensor. Since a method of estimating a point where a magnetic field is generated based on intensities of magnetic fields detected at different positions is obvious to those skilled in the art, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

Thereafter, the medical imaging apparatus may display a marker at a position of a display corresponding to the estimated position in the estimated orientation (S3300). In this case, referring to FIG. 7 that is a conceptual diagram showing a screen 7000 displayed on a display of a medical imaging apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment, the medical imaging apparatus may display a marker 7020 indicating a position and an orientation of the probe via the display. In other words, the marker 7020 may be displayed at a position of the display corresponding to the estimated position in the estimated orientation. According to an exemplary embodiment, the medical imaging apparatus may display the screen 7000 including a medical image 7010 acquired via the probe. Furthermore, the medical imaging apparatus may display information 7030 related to a position of the probe, such as an azimuth angle, a position of the probe, and a distance from a landmark point.

In this case, referring to FIG. 8 that is a conceptual diagram showing a screen 8000 displayed on a medical imaging apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment, the medical imaging apparatus may store a position of a probe at a time point when a medical image is captured, together with the medical image. Then, when the stored medical image is displayed on a display, the medical imaging apparatus displays a screen 8000 including a guide marker 8010 indicating a position and an orientation of the probe at a time point when the medical image 7010 is captured, as well as a marker 7020 indicating current position and orientation of the probe. A user may capture a medical image after moving the probe so that the marker 7020 is displayed at the same position as the guide marker 8010, thereby easily obtaining a medical image at the same position as a position where a medical image was previously captured. According to another exemplary embodiment, the medical imaging apparatus may also display the screen 8000 indicating a difference 8020 between a position of the probe at a time point when the medical image 7010 is captured and current position of the probe. In some embodiments, the medical imaging apparatus may further display the screen 8000 indicating a difference 8020 between an orientation of the probe at a time point when the medical image 7010 is captured and current orientation. In this case, according to an exemplary embodiment, the medical image 7010 in the screen 8000 may include at least one of a medical image previously captured at the position of the guide marker 8010 and a medical image captured at the position of the marker 7020.

Furthermore, according to an exemplary embodiment, if the position and orientation of the marker 7020 coincide with preset position and orientation in operation S3300, at least one of hue, brightness, and saturation of the marker 7020 may be changed. For example, if the marker 7020 is located within a predetermined distance from the position of the guide marker 8010, the medical imaging apparatus may display the marker 7020 flashing on and off. According to another exemplary embodiment, if the marker 7020 is within a predetermined distance from the position of the guide marker 8010, the medical imaging apparatus may generate an alarm sound.

In addition, according to an exemplary embodiment, the medical imaging apparatus may create report information containing information about a disease related to a medical image. When creating the report information, the medical imaging apparatus may generate the report information containing information about a position and an orientation of the probe (20 in FIG. 1) estimated during acquisition of a medical image. FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing a method of displaying a report in a medical imaging apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 9, the medical imaging apparatus may output a user interface 9010 that allows a user to input information related to a disease by selecting buttons. When the user selects a ‘Report’ button 9020 in the user interface 9010, the medical imaging apparatus may create report information 9030 containing position information 9040 of a marker corresponding to a medical image.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of a configuration of a medical imaging apparatus 1000 according to an exemplary embodiment.

The medical imaging apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment includes a probe 20, a magnetic sensor 4100 disposed in the probe 20, an image processor 200, and a display 230. According to exemplary embodiments, the medical imaging apparatus 1000 may further include a magnetic field generator 4200. In some embodiments, the probe 20 is equipped with the magnetic sensor 4100. The magnetic field generator 4200 may be incorporated into a separate external device (not shown). The medical imaging apparatus 1000 may be only an example for explaining a configuration thereof according to an exemplary embodiment, and may further include more or less components than the components shown in FIG. 4.

The magnetic sensor 4100 provided in the probe 20 may be integrated with the probe 20 or be attachable to or detachable from the probe 20. The magnetic sensor 4100 may use a plurality of sensing elements to obtain a magnetic field intensity. The sensing elements may measure intensities of magnetic fields having directions along three axes, respectively. Each of the sensing elements may be constructed using a hall element, a magnetoresistor, a flux gate magnetometer, a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), a fiber optic magnetic sensor, a proton precession magnetometer, or an optical pumping magnetometer.

A magnetic field sensed via the magnetic sensor 4100 may be a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator disposed at a point on a human body. As described above, referring to FIG. 6, if a medical imaging apparatus is an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, the probe 20 may be disposed at a point on a breast 6000 in order to obtain an ultrasound image of the breast 6000. In this case, a magnetic field generator 4200 may be located on a landmark point, e.g., a nipple. A magnetic sensor 610 is disposed on one side of the probe 20 and may sense a magnetic field created by the magnetic field generator 4200.

Referring back to FIG. 4, the image processor 200 may estimate a position and an orientation of the probe 20 relative to a landmark point based on a magnetic field intensity obtained via the magnetic sensor 4100. In detail, the image processor 200 may estimate a position and an orientation of the probe 20 relative to a landmark point from intensities and directions of magnetic fields detected by the plurality of sensing elements in the magnetic sensor 4100. Throughout the specification, functions of the image processor 200 may be performed by the controller 600 of FIG. 1 or other components for processing data.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the display 230 may display a marker at a position estimated by the image processor 200 in an orientation estimated thereby. In this case, referring to FIGS. 4 and 7, as described above, the display 230 of the medical imaging apparatus 1000 may display a marker 7020 indicating a position and an orientation of the probe 20. In other words, the display 230 may display the marker 7020 at a position corresponding to the estimated position in the estimated orientation. According to exemplary embodiments, the display 230 may display a screen 7000 including the medical image 7010 acquired via the probe 20. Furthermore, according to another exemplary embodiment, the display 230 may display information 7030 related to a position of the probe 20, such as an azimuth angle and a position of the probe 20 and a distance from a landmark point.

Furthermore, according to an exemplary embodiment, the medical imaging apparatus 1000 may store a position of the probe 20 at a time point when a medical image is captured in the memory 400 of FIG. 1, together with the medical image. Then, referring to FIGS. 4 and 8, the display 230 may display a screen 8000 including a guide marker 8010 indicating a position and an orientation of the probe 20 at a time point when a medical image 7010 is captured, as well as a marker 7020 indicating current position and orientation of the probe 20. A user may capture a medical image after moving the probe 20 so that the marker 7020 is displayed at the same position as the guide marker 8010, thereby easily obtaining a medical image at the same position as a position where a medical image was previously captured. According to another exemplary embodiment, the display 230 may also display the screen 8000 indicating a difference 8020 between a position of the probe 20 at a time when the medical image 7010 is captured and current position of the probe 20. In some embodiments, the display 230 may further display the screen 8000 indicating a difference 8020 between an orientation of the probe 20 at a time when the medical image 7010 is captured and current orientation of the probe 20. In this case, according to exemplary embodiments, the medical image 7010 in the screen 8000 may include at least one of a medical image previously captured at the position of the guide marker 8010 and a medical image captured at the position of the marker 7020.

Furthermore, according to an exemplary embodiment, if the position and orientation of the marker 7020 coincide with preset position and orientation, the display 230 may change at least one of hue, brightness, and saturation of the marker 7020. For example, if the marker 7020 is located within a predetermined distance from the position of the guide marker 8010, the display 230 may display the marker 7020 flashing on and off. According to another exemplary embodiment, if the marker 7020 is within a predetermined distance from the position of the guide marker 8010, the medical imaging apparatus 1000 may generate an alarm sound.

In addition, according to an exemplary embodiment, the medical imaging apparatus 1000 may create report information containing information about a disease related to a medical image. According to exemplary embodiments, the report information may be created by the image processor 200 or the controller (600 of FIG. 1). When creating the report information, the medical imaging apparatus 1000 may generate the report information containing information about a position and an orientation of the probe 20 estimated by the image processor 200. FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing a method of creating and displaying a report in the medical imaging apparatus 1000, according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 9, the display 230 may output a user interface 9010 that allows a user to input information related to a disease by selecting buttons. When the user selects a ‘Report’ button 9020 in the user interface 9010, the image processor 200 or the controller 600 may create report information 9030 containing position information 9040 of a marker corresponding to a medical image.

The magnetic field generator 4200 may generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field generator 4200 may also include a permanent or induction magnet for creating a magnetic field.

FIG. 5 is a plan view 5100 and a side view 5200 of the magnetic field generator (4200 of FIG. 4) according to an exemplary embodiment. The magnetic field generator 4200 may include a bar-shaped receptacle 5120 for accommodating a permanent or induction magnet 5110 having a dipole shape. Although not shown in FIG. 5, the receptacle 5120 may be a concave groove in the magnetic field generator 4200. The magnetic field generator 4200 may further include a protruding housing 5210 that sticks out so as to accommodate a part of a human body. For example, if the magnetic field generator 4200 is disposed on a nipple of a breast, the nipple may be accommodated in the protrusion housing 5210. According to another exemplary embodiment, the magnetic field generator 4200 may further include an adhering portion (not shown) that is disposed on one side of the magnetic field generator to contact the human body. The adhering portion may fix the magnetic field generator 4200 to the human body via an adhesive, air compression, or bandage.

Exemplary embodiments may be implemented through computer-readable recording media having recorded thereon computer-executable instructions such as program modules that are executed by a computer. Computer-readable recording media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer and include both volatile and nonvolatile media and both detachable and non-detachable media. Furthermore, the computer-readable media may include computer storage media and communication media. The computer storage media include both volatile and nonvolatile and both detachable and non-detachable media implemented by any method or technique for storing information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. The communication media typically embody computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, other data of a modulated data signal, or other transmission mechanism, and they include any information transmission media. For example, the computer storage media may be implemented as read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), flash memories, compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), magnetic disks, or magnetic tapes.

While one or more embodiments have been described with reference to the figures, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the present inventive concept as defined by the following claims. Thus, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments described therein should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. For example, components described as a single part may be implemented separately from each other. Also, components described as separate parts may be implemented in an integrated form.

Therefore, the scope of the present inventive concept is defined not by the embodiments but by the appended claims, and all modifications or variations within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents will be construed as being included in the present inventive concept.

Claims

A method of controlling a medical imaging apparatus configured to acquire an ultrasound image of a body part, the method comprising:

generating a magnetic field by using a magnetic field generator fixed onto a landmark point on a surface of the body part;

obtaining a value of a magnetic field intensity by using a magnetic sensor placed in a probe;

estimating a position of the probe relative to the landmark point, based on the obtained value; and

displaying a marker on a display included in the medical imaging apparatus, based on the estimated position.
The method of claim 1, wherein the displaying of the marker on the display further comprises displaying at least one selected from an azimuth angle, a distance, and an orientation of the probe relative to the landmark point.
The method of claim 1, wherein a medical image generated based on information acquired via the probe is displayed together with the marker in the displaying of the marker,

the method further comprising generating report information about the medical image, the report information comprising information about the estimated position of the probe.
The method of claim 1, wherein in the displaying of the marker, a guide marker indicating a fixed position is further displayed.
The method of claim 1, wherein the displaying of the marker comprises, if the position of the marker coincides with a preset position, changing at least one selected from hue, brightness, and saturation of the marker.
A medical imaging apparatus including a probe for acquiring an ultrasound image of a body part, the apparatus comprising:

a magnetic field generator that is fixed onto a landmark point on a surface of the body part and generates a magnetic field;

a magnetic sensor that is placed in a probe and obtains a value characterizing the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator;

an image processor configured to estimate a position of the probe relative to the landmark point, based on the obtained value characterizing the magnetic field; and

a display configured to display a marker based on the estimated position.
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the display further displays at least one selected from an azimuth angle, a distance, and an orientation of the probe relative to the landmark point.
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the display displays together with the marker a medical image generated based on information acquired via the probe,

the apparatus further comprising a data processor configured to generate report information about the medical image, the report information comprising information about the estimated position of the probe.
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein if the estimated position of the marker coincides with a preset position, the display changes at least one selected from hue, brightness, and saturation of the marker.
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the display further displays a difference between the position of the marker and the preset position.
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the magnetic field generator comprises a projection receiving groove that accommodates a protruding part of the body part.
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the magnetic field generator comprises an adhering portion that is positioned on one side of the magnetic field generator and is used to attach the magnetic field generator to the body part.
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the magnetic field generator comprises a permanent magnet or an induction magnet for producing a magnetic field within the magnetic field generator.
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the magnetic field generator comprises a bar-shaped magnet receptacle for accommodating a permanent magnet or an induction magnet.
A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the method of claim 1 on a computer.